BA Visual Arts and Film
About this course
The BA (Hons) in Visual Arts and Film sits in the subject area of Photography, examining the relationships between visual culture, film studies and the history of art from a global perspective. Core topics include Research Methods. The degree takes place within a school that offers language-learning opportunities, and students can apply to add a placement year or a year abroad, extending the course from three to four years. Teaching draws on the collections of the Oriental Museum and the University's Western Art collections, and no previous study of art is required. The first year sets out foundational ground through Introduction to Visual Culture Studies, The Art of the Moving Image (1): Key Concepts and Engaging Audiences Through Image and Word, which consider the links between art, film and visual culture alongside moving-image analysis and written communication about art and film. The second year deepens critical engagement with the moving image through The Art of the Moving Image (1): Theories and Contexts, covering approaches including classical Hollywood cinema, auteur and independent cinema, genre and spectatorship, while Global Histories of Art and Media 1 and Global Histories of Art and Media 2 place art history within broader questions of image-making, performance practices and the materiality of media. Optional modules at this stage range across areas such as Designing for Digital Living, Global Cinematic Constellations, Introduction to Curation, Thinking Through Art Objects and Introduction to Anime: Aesthetic, Technology, Seriality. The final year is organised around a compulsory Dissertation, in which students research and write on a particular area of interest under departmental supervision. Optional modules there have included Documentary Film-Making, Photography and Modernity Between the Wars, Art, Nature, Ecology, Screening Masculinities and Advanced Curating: Theory and Practice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 35 with 665 in higher level subjects.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 83%: 50 offers from 60 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 96%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 20%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 45 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 35%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 10%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introduction to Visual Culture Studies
- The Art of the Moving Image (1): Key Concepts
- Engaging Audiences Through Image and Word
- Example optional modules
- The Art of the Moving Image (1): Theories and Contexts
- Global Histories of Art and Media 1 and Global Histories of Art and Media 2 (20 credits each)
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Visual Arts and Film at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £39,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £7,500 more than the UK median for Cinematics and photography.
What do graduates of BA Visual Arts and Film at Durham University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Visual Arts and Film at Durham University?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Visual Arts and Film at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 157 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Visual Arts and Film at Durham University?
83% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 50 offers from 60 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Visual Arts and Film at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Visual Arts and Film at Durham University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.